fish · Cichlidae
Texas cichlid
Herichthys cyanoguttatus
Wild range: Lower Rio Grande drainage in southern Texas (USA) and northeastern Mexico; introduced to Edwards Plateau (central Texas), central peninsular Florida, and the Verde River basin (La Media Luna), Mexico. Northernmost native cichlid in the United States. (North America)
At a glance: Texas cichlid care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Texas cichlid?
The compiled profile lists 20.0–28.0 °C for Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Texas cichlid?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 75.0 US gallons (284.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Texas cichlid?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 6.5–7.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Pools and runs of small to large rivers; prefers warmer, sluggish water with submerged rocks, wood, and vegetation (FishBase, Seriously Fish). Digs heavily — sand or fine gravel with sturdy rock/wood structure; rooted plants usually fail.
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Herichthys cyanoguttatus Baird & Girard, 1854 per inventory/trade lock and FishBase accepted name; CoF genus Herichthys is Valid with type species H. cyanoguttatus (CoF genid 2179; species page blocked by CAS WAF this run). ITIS Current Standing valid as Herichthys cyanoguttatum Baird and Girard, 1854 (TSN 649487) — gender-agreement spelling (-um) recorded in aliases; primary retains trade/CoF-type -us spelling per Scott naming rule 2026-09-24. Older combinations: Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (ITIS TSN 169776 invalid → Herichthys), Heros pavonaceus Garman 1881, Cichlasoma pavonaceum, Parapetenia cyanostigma (USGS NAS / Wikipedia synonym lists). Trade names: Texas cichlid, Rio Grande cichlid, Rio Grande perch, Pearl cichlid. LFS caution: Herichthys carpintis (green Texas / pearlscale; smaller, irregular flank spots) and 'red Texas' Herichthys × Amphilophus hybrids are frequently sold under Texas-cichlid labels — true H. cyanoguttatus shows orderly lateral rows of small turquoise spots and reaches ~30 cm (Seriously Fish, TFH, Wikipedia). IUCN Least Concern (assessed 2018-10-18; FishBase).
Aquarium care
Large, aggressive Central American cichlid — the only cichlid native to the contiguous United States. Plan at least a 75 US gallon (~284 L) tank for one adult; pairs or tankmates need substantially more (≥125 gal / longer footprint; Seriously Fish 255 L≈67 gal single floor rounded up to TFH 75 gal adult minimum; fishkeeping.co.uk 260 L single / 400 L pair). Soft-to-medium subtropical water ~20–28°C, pH ~6.5–7.5, GH ~5–12 dGH (FishBase 20–33°C / 6.5–7.5 / 5–12; Seriously Fish aquarium toward lower end of 20–33°C, pH 6.0–7.5, 5–12; fishkeeping.co.uk 20–28°C / 6.0–7.5 / 5–12; TFH preferred ~21–24°C with adaptable range, pH 6.5–8.0, dH 8–25; aqua-fish 22–28°C / 6.5–8 / 5–20 — locked overlap 20–28°C, 6.5–7.5, 5–12 with SF/fishkeeping pH down to 6.0, TFH/aqua-fish pH to 8.0, TFH GH to 25, and FishBase absolute 33°C noted). Deep sand/fine gravel, smooth rocks, driftwood, clay pots; strong canister filtration and weekly 25–50% water changes — intolerant of organic waste. Digs constantly; rooted plants usually fail. Intermediate difficulty due to size, bioload, and aggression.
Feeding
Omnivore — aquatic invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus in nature (Seriously Fish, FishBase). In aquaria: quality cichlid pellets/flakes as staple plus regular live/frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis/krill; include vegetable matter (spirulina flake, blanched spinach/peas). Unfussy feeder; vary diet for color and health. Avoid relying on live feeder fish.
Compatibility
Highly territorial and aggressive, especially males in tanks under ~6 ft (Seriously Fish, fishkeeping.co.uk, TFH, aqua-fish). Not community-safe with small or peaceful fish. Possible tankmates only in ≥125 gal with similarly large, hard-line Central/South American cichlids, large plecos, or robust barbs/sharks — never small tetras. Many keepers house adults alone. Do not confuse with H. carpintis (green Texas) or red Texas hybrids.
Breeding
Readily bred with a compatible pair in a 5–6 ft species tank (Seriously Fish, aqua-fish, TFH). Grow out 6+ juveniles, remove extras once a pair forms — random adult pairing often kills the female. Spawning colors dramatic; courtship includes lip-locking and digging. Flat rock preferred; several hundred eggs; hatch 2–3 days; fry free-swim after further 4–5 days on Artemia nauplii; biparental care excellent. Have a clear divider ready. Tankmates are not safe once spawning starts.
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.